Bottleworks 13th Anniversary Ale

May 24, 2012

Using thirteen grains and thirteen hops for Bottleworks‘, a Seattle beer store, thirteenth anniversary, Stone has brewed an “imperial porter” that clocks in at 13, wait, no, 11.4% ABV. “With all the specialty malts used, there were less fermentable sugars than anticipated, so it ‘only’ got up to 11.4% ABV, but we’re all still really happy with how the beer turned out,” writes Stone Media & Communications Linchpin Randy Clemens.*

The beer pours with an apple juice-like thickness with a hazy, deep brown color. A nose of roasted toffee and alcohol immediately hits the senses. Burnt bitter chocolate, with a hint of roasted red pepper flakes, coats the tongue, and a sweet, yet rather dry caramel finish follows a tinge of chest-warming heat.

This beer would pair well with maple-glazed nuts or a dessert whose foundation is baked cinnamon apples.

*Clemens notes that “if for whatever reason, you’re upset that it’s not 13% ABV, we suggest you take a sip, as it will immediately help you get over it. And if that doesn’t seem to take care of your woes, send us a tweet @StoneBrewingCo, complaining about how good the beer is but how 11.4% just doesn’t cut it. But please, be sure to tag it #FirstWorldProblems.”